Blunt Gives Preview of New State Health Plan

Kansas City, MO – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt is giving a glimpse into his proposal to reform the state's health care system for the poor. KCUR's Kelley Weiss reports.

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Governor Blunt is proposing a Health Care Home concept that would make sure community health centers have patient's records on hand, can boost preventative care efforts and reduce non-essential emergency room visits.

Governor spokeswoman, Jessica Robinson, says Blunt's proposal would give $60 million dollars to these clinics across the state and create a home-like environment.

Jessica Robinson: "In the same way that your home is a place where you feel safe, a place where people know your history a place where often times they know what's wrong without even asking, a health care home offers many of those same benefits."

The plan proposes that almost $12 million go to Kansas City's Samuel Rodgers Community Health Center as well as $1.5 million to the local Swope Health Services - both clinics that serve low-income patients.

Robinson says this proposal is part of Blunt's larger plan to overhaul the state's Medicaid system, in 2005 he cut almost 100,000 people off the health plan that serves the poor and disabled. Blunt is expected to give more details on a reformed state health care system during his State of the State address on Wednesday.

Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.